5th December 2011 – Smells like teen spirit as performed by The Ukulele Orchestra of Great Britain
Bill Tapia, aged 103
This post will serve several different purposes: firstly, you may have heard the sad news of the death earlier this week of the 103 year old ukulele player Bill “Tappy” Tapia, described as the ”oldest performing musician ever to take to the stage”. You can read more here about this legendary ukulele player, who performed with the likes of Elvis Presley, Bing Crosby and Louis Armstrong to name but a few. Born in Honolulu, he started playing the uke at the age of 7 and never looked back, although his first CD wasn’t released until he was the ripe old age of 94!
Secondly, I am very proud to announce the formation of The King’s School’s newest musical ensemble: the student-led King’s Ukulele Society. The group is open to all pupils, both those who already play and those who would like to learn, and was founded earlier this term by sixth form student, Polly Morris. They meet every week at 12.45 on Fridays in the Music Classroom – new members are most welcome – and one of the first songs they are learning is this Nirvana classic, which has been transformed by the wonderful Ukulele Orchestra of Great Britain.
Finally, I would like to thank our wonderful lower sixth musicians for their extremely kind wedding present of two tickets to go and see the UOGB live in concert - Mrs R and I both had a wonderful evening!
